The Barebeek railway bridge had to be replaced due to significant wear and tear and the need to upgrade the structure for compatibility with new signalling and speed technologies. Infrabel, the Belgian railway infrastructure manager, has launched a comprehensive renovation initiative for line 53, aimed at modernising the track and enhancing overall mobility.

For this operation, the Sarens engineering team deployed a Demag AC700 crane configured in WiHi24m, with a lifting capacity of 110 tonnes. The project involved lifting and installing four bridge decks, each 24 metres long, 3.6 metres wide, and weighing up to 85 tonnes.

The operation posed several logistical and technical challenges. Transporting the equipment to the site was complicated by ongoing roadworks, requiring alternative routes with narrow access points. To address this, Sarens leased and modified private land to enable the safe passage of equipment and crane assembly. In total, 12 trailers were used to transport the rigging and bridge components.

The most complex aspect of the project was the limited working space between the catenary wires. Despite these constraints, Sarens successfully completed the lifting and installation of the bridge decks on schedule, showcasing the company’s expertise in executing complex heavy lifting projects.

The railway line between Mechelen and Leuven, inaugurated in 1837 and electrified in 1956, is a key component of Belgium’s transportation network. The Barebeek bridge replacement marks another significant milestone in the line’s evolution, ensuring its readiness for the future.

Erik Van der Elst, project manager at Sarens, said: “We are very proud of the work done on the installation of the decks for the bridge over the Barebeek, not only because of the benefits it will bring to the railway, but also because it was a complex project due to its location near the river and the spacing of the catenaries. This shows again the engineering capabilities of Sarens to tackle all kinds of projects in a multitude of conditions, always with an outstanding result.”

Sarens has built a strong reputation in Belgium and beyond for its contributions to major infrastructure projects. Notable examples include the heavy lifting of tanks at the Citrosuco plant in Ghent and the renovation of the century-old Colbert Bridge in Dieppe, France. Other recent achievements include installing the OA14 bridge in Bettembourg, Luxembourg, a new pedestrian bridge at Hazebrouck railway station in France, and an 8,400-tonne railway bridge on the A1 motorway in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

With its extensive fleet of cranes, transporters, and special rigging equipment, combined with its value engineering expertise, Sarens continues to lead in delivering innovative and efficient solutions for heavy lifting and engineered transport projects worldwide.